Wednesday, 28 May 2014

US Embassy adopts new visa application scheme

The United State Embassy in Nigeria has announced a new visa renewal process.

The new scheme would allow certain visa applicants who have previously been issued US visas to renew their visas without attending an interview.

The new process, called Expanded DHL Drop Box Visa programme, would become effective from June 2.

“The US Mission to Nigeria is pleased to announce the expanded DHL Drop Box Visa Renewal Programme on June 2, 2014. 

This programme allows certain visa applicants who have previously been issued US visas to renew their visas without attending an interview. 

The programme now covers B1/B2 visas that have expired not more than two years prior to re-issuance and F, L and H visas that have expired not more than one year prior to re-issuance,” a statement issued by the commission on the new process read.

The statement further advised applicants to visit the US Embassy in Nigeria’s Website for information on the needed criteria for renewals.

It, however, said that applicants’ participation in the programme was not a guarantee for visa issuance.

The statement said that the consulate might request the applicants to attend visa interviews in some cases.

Dencia wants to turn your black daughter white

As women, most of us have insecurities about the way we look. There are those parts of our bodies that we sometimes wish we could change; you could be envious of your friend's great legs, or your sister's tiny waist that you know you'll probably never have. 

For the most part of it we ignore the devil on our shoulder who tries to kill our spirit by constantly reminding us of how imperfect we are. And we learn to live with our uniquely different bodies. 

But not everyone can ignore that nagging insecurity, especially when there are ways that will help you get rid of that problem. 

The beauty industry is a money making business that has been planting the seeds of doubt in women for decades. It snatches the woman's self-esteem and says if you want to get it back, then do as I say. 

The most recent player to emerge into this expansive game is Dencia. Dencia is a Nigerian-Cameroonian singer who is the founder of Whitenicious which according to her website is, 'a moisturizing cream enriched with powerful natural ingredients that will nourish your skin and lighten dark knuckles, knees and elbows'. 

The idea of coming up with a skin lightening cream isn't new but what did surprise me is that Dencia is black, and a black woman at that. 

Women of colour, from Nicki Minaj toBeyonce, have been suspected of bleaching their skin. And although they've never out right said it, the proof is in the pudding, you just have to see it for yourself.

In an interview with Ebony magazine, Dencia reveals that as a young woman she had skin problems and was a frequent patient at the dermatologist's office.  

When asked about her name choice, she said that the colour white symbolizes new beginnings and it is a colour of purity that cleanses the mind and body.

Whitenicious is a product meant to help remove dark spots. But when we look at Dencia's before and after pictures, we see that it removed more than her skin pigmentation. 

She developed a product to help with' skin problems', the below images suggest that she saw the colour of her skin as the problem.


(Before)                                    (After)

(Image: RealityWives)

'White means pure'
In an interview with Channel 4, Dencia defends herself by saying that people have the freedom to choose whatever they want to do, and if they want to look lighter then so be it. However, she doesn't realize how irresponsible her words are and the negative message she is sending out by saying that 'White means pure'. 

Lupita Nyong'o vs Dencia
When Lupita Nyong'o was announced as the new ambassador for Lancome cosmetics, Dencia was the first to call Lupita a hypocrite. She critisized Lupita for endorsing a company that also sells skin lightening products.

And after Lupita gave her acceptance speechat Essence's Black Women in Hollywood event (in which she read out a letter written to her by a young black girl who changed her mind about buying Whitenicious after she saw how Lupita embraces her dark skin),jezebel reports that Dencia took to twitter to defend herself saying, "@IamDencia & oh @Lupita_Nyongo cln't talk abt the bleaching creams white people (Companies) make cuz the white man pays her,they own her!!"

So Dencia says that Lupita is owned by white people, yet she is the founder of a product that makes black women look white. Talk about irony.

Dangers of skin bleaching



Not only is the idea of changing ones skin show a sickness of the mind, it can also has grave medical and health consequences. When used incorrectly such products can lead to mercury poisoningskin cancer and a myriad of other health problems. When asked about the dangers associates with changing the colour of one's skin, Dencia reminded the world that well, anything can give you cancer, even breathing in air.


(Whitenicious promises results in 7 days. It might be a quick 'fix' but are the possible long term effects worth it?) Image:
Whitenicious

In the past we could blame the elusive beauty industry for convincing us that we aren't good enough. But these days, the blame has shifted, and we are the causing and fueling our own insecurities. Yes, women like Lupita exist. Women who teach young girls to embrace their natural disposition. But it's easier to convince a person that something is wrong with them, than it is to reassure them of their beauty.

The issue of skin colour, for women of colour, will always be a controversial one. Even with Lupita one can't help but wonder if she would have garnered as much attention if she had fair skin. Was it her dark skin that seduced the world to love her?

Being comfortable in your skin and body is very hard for most of us, especially when you're bombarded with pictures of people who are described as beautiful but share no similarities with you. 

Peter Okoye gets new look

Peter Okoye of the famous musical duo Psquare, has shaved his hair, changing his looks totally.

The happily married and father of two  shared his  "newme" photos,  on his Instagram page.

“Shaved it all off... New look in progress... #simplyme #dontsayilookugly #stillgrowingmyhairback.” he wrote.
T
http://instagram.com/peterpsquare

Rapper, Ice Prince adds a highlife swag in Whiskey

Chocolate City‘s rapper Ice Prince spits bars on a highlife tune, and features highlife singer Sunny Nneji on “Whiskey”

 The song is on the album Fire of Zamani released in October 2013, and is directed by Aje Films.

The video explains  the stories of two young people who through self-indulgence die and lose their dreams.


Final four emerge in Fastest Shedder

Nigeria’s first weight loss reality TV show Fastest Shedder has selected its four finalist.

Producer and designer of the show, Seyi Olusore revealed that the final four emerged from 10 contestants in the Fastest Shedderhouse. 

The finalists were listed as  Debbie Ogundiran, Zainab Eniola, Funmilola Yetunde Oke and Nneka Agbanusi Nwando.

Applications for the reality show began in February, where  three judges, Maye Ayida, Tayo Badejo and Trisha Maja, and a medical team took 20 contestants through physical excercises, interviews and medical screening to shortlist the final 10.

The 10 contestants who made it into the Fastest Shedder  house were put through daily tasks and competitions that included exercise routines and endurance tasks.

A total of about 122.8 kg was lost in 51 days, with the four finalists losing a combined weight of about 60kg.

The winner goes home with one million naira and one year free gym membership, while the first runner up goes home with  N500,000 and six months free gym membership. The second runner up will get a new wardrobe and three months free gym membership.

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Nollywood star seeks more stakeholder support for entertainment industry

Moji Olaiya, a Nollywood actress, on Monday called on stakeholders in the entertainment sector to support the Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda.

Olaiya said in Lagos that every Nigerian should be an entertainment ambassador.

She said Nigerians should create opportunities through attitudes geared towards the promotion of African music and culture.

"The entertainment practitioners have to encourage tourists to visit Africa because earnings, revenues and resources are meagre and highly competitive. It is only when you attract them through quality songs and services that tourists and visitors will patronise Africa and increase our revenue earnings. So, it is high time the entertainers encouraged visitors and tourists to patronise the industry by producing quality songs and rendering good services required by foreigners,’’ Olaiya said.

She said that the development of the entertainment industry was the collective responsibility of all.

Olaiya called on Nigerians in general to also join forces in making the entertainment transformation agenda of the Federal Government a reality.

She urged entertainment practitioners to partner with the Association of Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP), to re-invent and reposition the industry for sustainable national economic growth.

Olaiya said that the entertainment industry would develop, if the Federal Government pays adequate attention to the sector.

"The industry will fetch the government huge revenue, if well funded, adequate funding will make the Nollywood industry compete with its foreign counterparts on a near equal footing," she added. 

Nollywood reads for Children’s Day

As part of the 2014 Best Of Nollywood Awards(BON), Nollywood stars, OC Ukeje, Doris Simeon and Dayo Amusa will be in Port Harcourt, for the BON Children’s Day book reading, reports Movie Moments

The event which takes place on Tuesday, will be chaired by the the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, his wife and other government dignitaries in the state.

Other Nollywood top acts expected for the reading include; Ibinabo Fiberesima, Joseph Benjamin, Yomi Fash Lanso, Tamara Eteimo, Alexx Ekubo, Mercy Aigbe Gentry, Olaitan Ogungbile and Sylvia Oluchi.

Photos from Sasha P's 30th Birthday Party

..
The rapper/designer who turned 30 on the 21st of May,looked gorgeous for her birthday party on the 23rd of MayCelebrities like Naeto C,Toke Makinwa, Niyola, Dare,Ice Prince and many more turned up to celebrate with her..

She's gorgeous..

Monday, 26 May 2014

Life is Good! Much Ado about Footballer Taye Taiwo's palatial home in Festac, Lagos

Yes Magazine has just discovered Soccer star, Taye Taiwo's beautiful home in Festac Town, Lagos. Situated on 400 Road, the storey building parades two unmistakable black gates and also two beautiful pillars. 
 
It is surrounded by an electric fence, there are lights everywhere, which makes the house a beauty to behold at night.  
 
See photo below:
 
Well paved and enhanced with flowers, a peep into the compound revealed some exotic automobiles like Chrysler, G-Wagon Benz and Range Rover neatly tucked inside a car port. 
 
Said to have been completed years ago, the footballer who currently plays for Bursaspor F.C allegedly bought over the property that was there before for about N30 million and then renovated it to suit his taste; extracting this and including that along the line.
 
In fact, nearly all the things used were said to have been imported from France.  A simple but sophisticated house, an estate valuer put the current cost at over N100m. 
Easy going and generous, neighbors say he jogs or cycles anytime he’s in town. “The guy is not arrogant. Anytime he’s around, he mixes well with people. He also assists his siblings, because whenever he’s in town, you see them trooping in and coming out with smiles on their faces. Three of his blood relations, two guys and a girl, live in the house and also take care of it."

South Africa biggest winner in AMAA awards

The South African movie industry emerged biggest winner at the just-ended 2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) held in Bayelsa State.

The country scooped ten awards including the biggest award of the night, AMAA 2014 Award for Best Film (Of Good Report).

The movie also earned South Africa another four crests in the categories for Achievement In Screen Play; Best Young/Promising Actor (Petronella Tshuma); Best Actor In A Leading Role (Mothusi Magano); and Best Director (Jamil X.T Quebeka).

The country also scooped the awards for Best Animation (Khumba), Achievement In Make Up (Once Upon A Road Trip), Achievement In Cinematography (The Forgotten Kingdom), Achievement In Sound (The Forgotten Kingdom) and Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Thapelo Mofekeng).

Ghana' Shirley Frimpong Manso’s film,Potomanto, won the award for Achievement in Editing, while "Northern Affair", a Leila Djansi's film makes it double for Ghana with the award in the Achievement In Production Design category.

Nigeria's seasoned actresses, Clarion Chukwurah, emerged the best actress on the continent.

Chukwurah clinched the AMAA 2014 Award For Best Actress In A Leading Role for her outstanding performance in the movie“Apaye.”

She beat to the crown other top actresses including Uche Nnadili (B For Boy), Linda Sokhulu (Felix), Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha (Accident), Joselyn Dumas (Northern Affair) , Uche Jombo, Monalisa Chinda and Daniella Okeke (Lagos Cougar).  

Patience Ozokwo also shone at the awards.

The ageless actress emerged the winner in the category of Best Actress In A Supporting Role for her role in the movie, “After The Proposal.

Nigeria also recorded achievement in Best Documentary (Portraits of a Lone Farmer), Best Film In African Language (B For Boy), Achievement In Soundtrack (Onye Ozi), Achievement In Visual Effect (A Mile From Home) and Award For Best Nigerian Film (Accident).

Bob Manuel Udokwu, seasoned actor  was the recipient of the AMAA Special Jury honour.

He was recognised for his more than two decades contribution to the movie industry in Nigeria and Africa. 

2face rocks one million naira sneakers

Superstar musician, 2face Idibia wore a customized gold encrusted Versace sneakers worth N1 million, for a recent Tunde and Wunmi Obe video shoot, reportsInformation Nigeria 

The video is for the single “Green White Green” clamoring for peace and unity in Nigeria, and is directed by Clarence Peters.

2face, who is featured on the single, was seen in the company of his wife Annie Idibia.

Ini Edo ventures into bread business

Our celebs are now delving into businesses which the ordinary man on the streets can relate to ..Last month,Terry G went into pure water business, Dbanj Garri,now Ini Edo into bakery business..Really commendable 

Wizkid shows off bundle of $$$$ in Houston Strip club, gives haters the middle finger

Wizkid was in Houston yesterday for a show with Banky,2face,Timaya.After the show, he hit the strip club with friends and showed off his cash with caption" Hello?!!! Can u hear me?",plus the middle finger for the haters..Lol
A female fan said she liked him better when he was sane and asked him to go back to the studio and sing better songs instead of ginger oh..lol

Sunday, 25 May 2014

The Hunger Games wins big at The Empire Cinemas Alternative Movie Awards

The Hunger Games: Catching Firetriumphed at The Empire Cinemas Alternative Movie Awards.

Jennifer Lawrence won Sexiest Actress and Best Film Hero for her portrayal of Katniss Everdeen in the second installment of the adaptation of Suzanne Collins' trilogy. 

The 23-year-old star also picked up the gong for Best On-Screen Kiss for her smooch with Liam Hemsworth who stars as Gale Hawthorne while the sci-fi adventure picked up a further award for Best Sequel. 

Jon Nutton, Marketing Director for Empire Cinemas, said: "It's obvious that Jennifer Lawrence has captured the hearts, and funny bones, of the public and can do no wrong as her character Katniss Everdeen. Here at Empire Cinemas we're also glad to be awarding Leonardo DiCaprio a much deserved award and overdue credit for his incredible work these last 12 months."

Thor: The Dark World was another big winner - picking up a hat-trick of awards for Best Screen Fight as well as Chris Hemsworth's Sexiest Male Actor prize and Best Film Villain for Tom Hiddleston.

Meanwhile, Leonardo DiCaprio has been honoured for his role in The Wolf Of Wall Street and last year'sThe Great Gatsby with a People's Choice Award after losing out on in the Best Actor category at this year's Academy Awards.

The award's winners are voted solely by movie fans with DiCaprio picking up a huge 60 per cent of the public vote, beating stiff competition from '12 Years A Slave' actor Chiwetel Ejiofor and American Hustlestar Lawrence.

The full list of awards as follows:

Best On-Screen Kiss: Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Best Film Villain: Loki (Tom Hiddleston) - Thor: The Dark World

Sexiest Actor: Thor (Chris Hemsowth) - Thor: The Dark World

Sexiest Actress: Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) - The Hunger Game: Catching Fire

Best Film Hero: Jennifer Lawrence - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Best On-Screen Partnership: Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) - Gravity

Best Fight Scenes: Thor: The Dark World

Funniest Film: Despicable Me 2

Best Sequel: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The People's Choice Award: Leonardo Di Caprio